Captain Judy Savannah Georgia Fishing Report Mar 8

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   CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956"
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921 912 897 3460 FAX
www.missjudycharters.com
Captain Judy’s email fishjudy2@aol.com
March 8, 2010

Light tackle float fishing for reds

This is Captain Ray’s secret ultra light adjustable float rig set up.

He basically takes a three feet piece of 15 to 20 pound test monofilament line
"fluorocarbon or not" and ties on a #2 or #4 Khale hook also referred to as a "Wide Gap hook." He then slides on a very small red bead, two small bullet weights, then slides on the float, another small bead, and then he ties on a slipknot. This knot allows you to move the float up and down on the line to adjust bait depth. After putting all this together he them ties a loop knot, which he can just attach his main line to. This type of float design is specifically made and used for shallow fishing in less than a foot of water for red fish. I know it might be hard to see from picture taken, but with this rig you can successfully be used in 1 to 2 feet of water. The reason is there is no leader or stationary sinker involved. All parts slide and move easily.

During cold water times the old red fish is spookier that ever. Small adjustable floats such as this work great when cast into the strike zone, because they don’t make too big of a splash. As far as bait the sky is the limit when using this float. However, I do suggest live when you can get it. This float works great when using live shrimp or mud minnows as bait.

Red Fish Inshore Bite Plan
Red fish on the mud flats especially when the sun has heated them up. The best tide stages are low tide in midday along with sunny conditions. Best baits are soft baits rigged weed less and mud minnows lipped hooked up small adjustable floats. I have to say, "When live shrimp become available to fishermen another serious bite pattern is going to immerge!" According to my sources once the water temperature reaches a solid 53 degrees this is when the bait houses are going to start carrying live shrimp. The reason being at this temperature they can keep them alive and so can we.

How to properly rig the Culprit Worm so as to provide the best life-like presentation
The old Plastic worm

Another plastic bait that really works is a large 8" inch regular style plastic worm or a Culprit type curly tail worm. As far as rigging I suggest Texas style with cone/bullet weight or just plain naked on a 2/0 worm hook. The larger the worm used the least amount of weight that you need to use. Although no one likes to talk about using this as bait believe me it really does work especially at this time of the year. As the water warms all creatures that have been hibernating for months will start to stir including those that look like 8" inch regular plastic worms or the curly tail ones. I had an old fresh water fisherman tell me one time that all of his lures in his tackle box was just as good as the saltwater types. According to him they might not last as long, but they certainly will catch their share of fish!"

Waiting for that solid Spring Spotted Sea Trout Bite!
(But until then give what us much older fishermen do a try!)

Captain Kathy Brown showing off a nice fall spotted sea trout! It’s not unusual to catch spotted sea trout like this big during cold water times. The secret to the coldwater bite is the fact that whether the trout is small or large it’s going to take/eat very slowly. Slamming a hook set hook might not be the thing to do. It’s suggested to cast into your fishing area, let the bait fall, settle, and then twitch a bit. While twitching reel very slowly it’s good to let your bait fall back to the bottom a few times during this "slow to go" process.

Lets go freshwater jigging in the saltwater with Jiffy Jigs!

For those fishermen that want to give freshwater jigs a try give Jiffy Jigs a try. Jiffy Jigs is located in Vidalia Georgia and can be reached by calling 1 912 537 4699 or go to www.jiffyjigs.com for the real catching deal! Proven by many and talked about by few! Spotted Sea Trout just love the small stuff!

A few spotted sea trout are moving about. The best baits are small freshwater type jigs threaded on to trimmed screw tails and worked in the deeper holes. Some fisherman caught some nice spotted sea trout, as they were sight casting for red fish. This means that the trout might have come out of their hibernation mode at least while the sun warmed everything up. The fishermen that caught the large trout were as shocked as the fish that took the bait. I will admit that fishing regular especially for this time of the year had not arrived. The water temperatures are still on the cold side, which means normally when there is a short brief warming trend the fish are hungry and they move to feed.

Inshore Dolphin Round Up!

During the cold times there isn’t much for the dolphin to feed on except the poor old red fish! Scott Stroop sent me these photos that he took while he watching a dolphin do what they do best, which is "round up the cold water red fish!" So therefore we have two things going on which is the dolphin is trying to feed on the red fish putting this fish in a big time survival mode!"

Photo by Scott Stroop
This is a fine picture of a dolphin doing what it does best, which is stalked the poor red fish especially during the cold times. Here’s a dolphin in very shallow water that is holding at bay a few terrified red fish as shown in the next couple of pictures.

Photo by Scott Stroop
Here is about ½ dozen red fish that have huddle together, because the dolphin in the previous picture is waiting to stage an attack and eat drill. Believe it or not, but this is a normal occurrence for this time of the year. However, I have never been able to get pictures quite like this.

Photo by Scott Stroop
Here’s a picture from the same sighting. I am going to call this "Four red fish and a
single piling!" The dolphin is still waiting for it’s chance to eat. It has rounded up these poor red fish and I believe if they had legs "a walking they would go!" All these fish have to do is stay where they are and wait for the tide to take them to the safety of the marsh grass! Here’s what these fish know: Dolphin can’t navigate in water that is this shallow! As the tide floods this area these fish will advance when they can right into the marsh blending in. In other words "On the incoming tide red fish in first dolphin in last!" Thanks Scott for sending these great pictures!

Sheepshead Bite inshore and offshore

Captain Tommy Williams shows off his nice 2009 caught sheepshead, which gladly hit a small purple back fiddler. This is the size sheepshead that fishermen are catching inshore as well as offshore! Whatever you do don’t forget your dip net!

Sheepshead bite inshore and offshore
Another fish that’s striving offshore and inshore is the sheepshead. With water
temperature being so cold this fish might have gotten a little confused. We are catching large sheepshead inshore around the structure (dock, piling, rocks, or wrecks) as well as offshore while fishing over and around the barges. Normally this is a fish that migrates offshore and then returns full force back into the sounds and creeks first to mid April. However, we are catching these fish in both areas!

This is a Khale hook sometimes referred to as a "wide gag hook." This is considered the best hook to use inshore when fishing for all fish even the sheepshead. Works great with fiddlers, live shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet. Whatever you do make sure you drag set is not too tight! The sheepsheads are big and they pull much harder, which is a very good thing.

Artificial reefs bite action

This is the color of the buoys that marks the artificial reef areas. The buoys are not
anchored on the structure. They only mark the area. I am always suggesting to study areas that you are going to fish before heading offshore. If you had done you homework once arriving to the buoy it would be easy to take a heading to your fishing destination point on the reef while using this buoy as your starting point.

Artificial Reef Action
The sheepshead bite has been strong at the artificial reefs with the best baits changing from purple back fiddler to mud fiddlers or flats black back fiddlers.

Flounder can be caught while fishing the outskirts of the artificial reefs wreck. The best baits to use are live such as mud minnows or any live fish that you are lucky enough tocatch while bottom fishing. However, there isn’t much of a small bait bite offshore so I suggest bringing mud minnows or finger mullet when possible.

Some nice black sea bass are being caught while sheepshead fishing. The bass hit fiddler crabs, cut fish, shrimp, and squid. These fish were mixed in with the sheepshead schooling over the structure. If you are targeting black sea bass I suggest fishing areas such as pallet balls, convert pipes, and low relief structure that you can find. Just keep moving around the structure at the artificial reef until you find the fish. Believe me they are there!

Captain Jack McGowan hold a nice bull red caught while sight casting on March 4, 2010.

It’s time to go because now you know!
Captain Jack McGowan Inshore Fishing Report
March 01, 2010
As winter is winding down fishermen are getting ready for Spring fishing! The Savannah Boat Show, Bass Pro Shop Savannah Fishing Classic as well the Savannah Chapter Coastal Conservation Association Annual Banquet were all excellent opportunities for fishermen to gather and enjoy good friendship as well exchange plenty of good information through seminars or just conversation. When attending events such as these you can not help but learn more about fishing, make new friends and reacquaint with old ones. If you could not attend, you might want to schedule a few of these events in for 2011. There is always plenty to learn! When listening to a seminar I try to go the three rule. If I hear something three times this is likely to be important. When guys are saying the same thing you can pretty much count on it. Also when you listen to seminar perhaps a large portion wont pertain to your type of fishing. The trick is pick out what you can use then apply it. If you’re learning a new knot try tying it as soon you can.
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Now back to fishing - redfish numbers look good! Anglers are catching reds on a variety of soft plastics and flies. One seminar tip is you soften the way your bait or plastic hits by slowly pulling your line as before your plastic hit the water. This is something I do and often instruct those on my boat on how to cast in skinny water. Redfish can be very skittish. Long soft cast can greatly help during this time of the year.

The sheepshead has been good! A fellow guide recently said the offshore is good but the big ones are still inshore. Best bet is call ahead if planning on purchasing fiddler crabs from your favorite bait shop.

The water is still pretty cold. Don Adams of Adams Bait House said normally the water temperature this time of the year will be around 53 degree. Don said today’s reading was at 50 degrees. This is much colder than the norm. It will likely a few warm days before water temperatures start to rise.

Some sea trout have been caught during the last couple of weeks on mud minnows and bits of dead shrimp. Some Stripers action up river despite unusual currents. The tide can be coming in and the flow is going out. Most of the striper action has been with finger mullet and jigs. Those catching fish are fishing deep and near structure.

As winter is winding down the opportunity to attend seminars is also winding down.
Check the Coastal Conservation Association for upcoming banquets. This is a great way to support the coast and enjoy the company of fellow fishermen!

March 4, 2010
Large tides last week coupled with a strong north, northwest wind made near and
offshore fishing nearly impossible. Some nice redfish on the flats and in the rivers! Best success is with pitching soft plastics and a 1/4 ounce jigs. Redfish will eat almost any. Nonetheless on darker days fish a darker bait. When water quality is poor accurate casting and letting the jig bounce the bottom can produce strikes. It seems like you are literally bouncing the jig on their nose to get a bite. Fishing in poor conditions is challenging. Nevertheless, even in some of the worst weather fishermen can often catch some nice redfish. The good news there will lots of nice days ahead!

When tides are unusually high one strategy can be to ease back into the grass in search of redfish. Be careful because the water level can drop rapidly on a west wind. When drift fishing in windy conditions boat control is critical Winter time redfish can be very skittish. Try to stay far enough away from the fish so you wont spook the fish. Once a fish is hooked this typically when the boat is left unattended for a few moments and slide too close. The point make sure your boat doesn’t spook the fish.

On windy, challenging days a good cast is important. Even more important is how
quickly you feel your jig. Wind can put lots of slack in your line. The trick is to stay in contact with your jig. If your plastic has been pulled down, he pulled your pants down! There was good fish there. There will be plenty of days when conditions so nice its just a joy to fish. Nonetheless, even challenging days fishing can be fun! Always think safety and fun. As conditions improve fish be prowl for an easy meal and the bite should be more predictable. Next week there are predictions of temperature in the 70's. Likely this will be the start of warming conditions. Our water temperature has around 50 degrees. When the water temperature hits around 55 degrees the bite should start turning on! Fishermen targeting stripers in the Savannah River have been fishing from Fort Jackson and further upriver. The bite has been pretty consistent with good fishermen catching half a dozen or more in an outing. Currents in the Savannah and Ogeechee have kind of strange due large amounts of rainwater still flowing to the coast. Despite funny currents
fishermen have been able to catch some nice fish. The sheepshead and sea bass bite has been good when fishermen have able to venture out. Hope this of help! Fish On! Capt.
Jack McGowan

Captain Judy has 8 Fishing DVD’s Now Available!
Go too http://missjudycharters.com/Merchandise.shtml for more information
on Captain Judy’s videos and booklets…another way to get to this page is to
go to www.missjudycharters.com and hit the "merchandise" button at the
top of the front page of the website
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As you know I have been fishing a long time. So therefore when I go fishing with other fisherman such as the captains featured in my shows I understand what they are doing as well as how to explain it to you. For me to say that I know it all about fishing would certainly be a lie, because I don’t as well as never hope to. If I ever accomplish the goal of knowing it all I’m sure the lure of fishing will no longer interest me. The best news that I can offer is the fact that a fish changes it ways all of the time. All of the shows as well as the booklets will help you to know what to do when you find fish. You know the old saying, "Finding fish his only half the battle!"
Thanks in advance for your consideration!

Captain Judy Helmey
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956!"

Number one

HOW TO CATCH SPINNER SHARK AS WELL AS THEIR OTHER TOOTHY
COUSINS with booklet included!
Coastal Fishing with Captain Judy
Spinners Shark Fishing Show DVD
Join Captain Judy and Captain Alan Collins as they hunt out the aerobatic spinner sharks of Wassaw Sound. Named for the spinning leaps it makes as part of it feeding strategy, the spinner shark resembles a larger version of the black tip shark, with a slender body, long snout, and black-mark fins

Spinners Shark Fishing Show
How to Booklet with great detailed pictures
The Spinner Shark show is awesome, because you see a spinner shark in action and we show you how to get your best chances at catching one. The booklet, which comes with the show, puts all we talked about in on paper. Not only that, but it has color pictures of other rigs, baits, and techniques used. For those fishermen that want to learn how to shark fish or should I say, "Catch sharks" this is the book for you! Here’s the table of contents for the Spinner Shark Booklet!

Table of contents for the How to catch a spinner shark booklet:
Captain Judy Fishing Statement, Introduction to Spinner Shark Show
A Little About Captain Alan Collins "Inshore Specialist!" Captain Judy’s Premium Shark Rigs (Pictures and details) Light tackle shark rigs aka king mackerel rigs (Pictures and details) Big Shark Hook Ups or Not!Best baits to use! (Pictures and details) Carolina Style Rig (Pictures and details) How to properly hook up baits used! Bucket Theories! Different Chumming Methods "One and Two!" Balloons Used As Floats! Rod Bending Experiences Spinner Shark Hook Up! On the Gunnels! Safest Way to Measure a large live shark is in the water! Do you want to keep them or not? Methods offered for harvesting a big shark! (Flying gaff, tail roping, gloves) Jumping Spinner Shark! Sharks on the dock! Captain Alan Collins and Matthew Collins holding a nice lemon shark!

Number Two

HOW TO CATCH TROPHY RED FISH with booklet included!
Coastal Fishing with Captain Judy
Trophy Reds DVD
Captain Judy Helmey and Captain Ray Crawley are heading out to catch a trophy red fish. The redfish is a supper-challenging opponent of the grass beds and flats
along the Georgia coast. The shallower the water, the more thrilling the fight!
Trophy Reds show How to Booklet with great detailed pictures This how to booklet covers the Trophy red fish show and offers other techniques on how to catch red fish. These tips along will definitely increase you chances of hooking up more. The information in this booklet took years of fishing in order to be in knowing of what works and what doesn’t. Why do all this experimenting on your own when all you
have to do read and follow our red fish catching suggestions! For those of you that don’t like to do that much reading, don’t worry there are plenty of pictures that show you the way!

Table of contents for the How to catch a trophy red fish:
Captain Judy’s Fishing Statement, A little About Captain Ray Crawley "The Red Fish
Catching Man!" Introduction to Trophy Red Fish Show Salt Pond Area located in
Wassaw Sound Savannah Georgia Captain Judy Inshore Charts information. Lets talk about to successfully find areas that hold red fish Captain Ray "Signature moves into the area!" These spots and those like them hold the attentions of the red fish.  Trophy Red Fish Caught here! Find the red fish! Captain Ray’s rigs and tactics used Regular float rig style (for spring, summer, and fall) Ultra light float rig style (for winter). It’s time to give your mullet a trim Tail droppings! How to hook your mullet up How to hook your shrimp up Captain Ray style In some case two shrimp are better than one!"Big fish or not" tactics! Captain Ray’s Carolina style rig Lipped hooked finger mullet design Captain Ray’s live bait well and all that it implies How Captain Ray properly takes his "shrimp for a ride!" Little Miss Judy’s believe it or not! "Mullet jumping" story Best areas to look for a red fish Captain Ray’s basic rules for getting too and hooking up a red fish! "Suggestion City!" The first suggestion: Be there before the fish! The second suggestion: Make mental notes of your surroundings! The third suggestion: Don’t set the hook to quick The fourth suggestion: When the fish is running do not reel The fifth suggestion: Don’t over do "pulling directly on your hooked up fish." The sixth suggestion: Purchase yourself some a pair of fish grippers Captain Ray’s secret red fish artificial lures! Flukes and plugs! Super golden bream flukes by ZOOM Plugs by Smithwick "Rattlin’ Rogue lure" Flat out fishing for cold water reds "The jerk bait plight!" Captain Ray’s spotted Sea Trout catching tactics Strike King "Baby Bass lures" 3XZTOO-55 Dead white oyster banks More DVD and fishing booklet information

Number three

HOW TO CATCH SPOTTED SEA TROUT with booklet included!
Coastal Fishing with Captain Judy
Spotted Sea Trout DVD
Captain Judy Helmey and Captain Matt Williams set out in search of spotted sea trout, commonly called speckled trout, is one of the most popular sport fish along the Georgia coast. Its willingness to hit natural and artificial baits, and fine eating qualities make this species extremely popular with anglers.

Spotted Sea Trout Show
How to Booklet with great detailed pictures
This how to booklet covers the spotted sea trout show and offers many other techniques on how to catch spotted sea trout. The spotted sea trout one fish that is plentiful as well as assessable. However, it certainly helps knowing the inside scoop of how to get this catching job done. Believe me this booklet as well as any of the others in this collection will not disappoint you! 

Table of contents for the How to catch spotted sea trout:
Captain Judy’s fishing statement Introduction to the Spotted Sea Trout Show A Little about Captain Matt Williams "Seasoned Inshore Specialist!" The Show explained from start to finish! Departure from the dock Rod and Reel Outfit Set Up Terminal Gear Used Just add this Sinker to your popping cork Whatever you do don’t forget this line addition Great addition to your fishing library Rubber core sinkers also known as "Dogged Eared Sinkers!" Split shot box in-line sinkers Popping Corks
Leaders and rigs used on this particular fish day Live shrimp and popping cork rigs used How to rig a live shrimp Hooks used DOA artificial shrimp patterns used along with suggestions Popping cork Rig used with artificial Bait Captain Matt’s first fishing drop was just a plain old mud bank by a slough! Fish do this everywhere from offshore to inshore! The fish story of the day "Octopus Toss!" Captain Matt’s second drop. Captain Matt’s number three "Go To Spot!" Eddy-a-tized "Explanation and Meaning!" Back to catching more fish DOA artificial shrimp patterns Other DOA Shrimp patterns that definitely work! Taking a Good Look at bait used! The change up to artificial bait. Captain Matt offers up a few more baiting up suggestions Inshore fish bites More fishing shows that Captain Judy has hosted

Offshore Shows
Other Coastal Fishing with Captain Judy DVDs without booklets
Number Four

Coastal Fishing with Captain Judy
& Guest host Captain Ali Young and Katy Goettler
King Mackerel Fishing Show
This show is about how to catch king mackerel off the coast of Savannah even under the worst sea conditions. Captain Judy has a 15-minute rule when it comes to catching fish; if they don’t bite she tries something else. Find out the difference between the kings we catch most of the time and those that are just passing by "migrating kings."

Number five

Coastal Fishing with Captain Judy
& Guest host Lindsay Jeffcoat
Barracuda Fishing at it’s finest!
I just might be the only fisherman that actually targets barracuda at least on purpose! Fishing for barracuda is one of the specialty trips that we offer over here at Miss Judy Charters and believe me those that take one certain doesn’t get let down in the entertainment department. First let me say, "When we go barracuda fishing we are looking for the large fish bite!" Heck, most of the barracuda all weight in at over 25 pounds with some fish tipping the scales to over 30 pounds. Heck the barracuda’s head with all those big teeth make up 25% of the fish’s total weight. At any rate, here’s what this fish does when it hooked up…..the first thing it does to the special bait that we are using is to attack it and then eat it. Once the barracuda accomplishes it’s best at destroying and killing the bait it then eats it, which is just about when it gets hooked up. As soon as the barracuda feels the steel set of the hook the fish becomes air born taking aeronautics to a new level. Now I ask you why wouldn’t you want to get a chance at hooking up a big fish that jumps, pulls strong, and has great running wild abilities?

Number Six

Coastal Fishing with Captain Judy
Savannah Snapper Banks Show
For those that like bottom fishing this is the show to watch. Captain Kathy Brown, Drew Zeigler, Cole Yarbrough, and Captain Judy "JUST GO OFFSHORE FISH!" We catch all kinds of fish from red snapper, grouper, black sea bass, triggerfish, vermilion snapper, and assortment of others. We share some interesting tips on how to catch big bottom fish and what’s best to do when the rascal goes back to the ledge. The method used is old school and it’s called "Guitar playing fishing style!"

Number Seven

Coastal Fishing with Captain Judy & guest host Captain Mike Counihan
Offshore Fishing Artificial versus Live Bait
Heading out to the Savannah Snapper Banks on a Fact finding mission. Find out how to o go high speed trolling, slow trolling for grouper, what a ruby red lips really is, how to catch the best live bait, fish with live and all kinds of artificial bait such as butterfly jigs to DOA shrimp patterns, and much more. At the end of the show I tell one of my little Miss Judy stories about my fishing father. Find out why my father was called the "Human Siren!"

Number Eight

Coastal Fishing with Captain Judy
& Guest host Captain Ali Young
Navigation by the seat of your pants
This show doesn’t come with a booklet, because it really does not need one!" This show is about the old time navigation meaning "the way Captain Judy’s father taught her to navigate by the seat of her pants! It’s funny! It shows the way we got from point A to point B!" When we did start using the then new LORAN system, my father would always say, "Judy, when you get tired of turning all those knobs on that stupid box, just cut it off and come on home!" Now that I think about it "I did just that without a care in the world!"

How to order DVDS $15.95 Plus $2.50 shipping and handling
To order email fishjudy2@aol.com or call 912 897 4921 office

Edited by Captain Judy - 07/Mar/2010 at 2:13pm